Scolochloa festucacea, commonly known as Common Rivergrass, is a perennial grass that is typically found in wet meadows, marshes, and along riverbanks in the Northern Hemisphere. This grass is deciduous, shedding its foliage seasonally, and can reach a height of 3-5 feet (0.9-1.5 meters) with a similar spread of 4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 meters). It forms dense clumps of bright green, arching leaves and produces airy, open flower panicles that are not particularly showy but add a delicate texture to the landscape in summer.

Common Rivergrass is valued for its ability to stabilize soil and its use in water filtration in wetland restoration projects. It is also used ornamentally in rain gardens and as a naturalistic element in larger landscape plantings. This grass prefers consistently moist to wet soils and can tolerate a range of light conditions from full sun to part shade. While it is adaptable to various soil types, it thrives in those that are nutrient-rich with medium to slow drainage. Gardeners should be aware that Scolochloa festucacea can spread aggressively by rhizomes and may become invasive outside its native range, particularly in regions with similar wetland habitats.CC BY-SA 4.0